World Crown 300 Web Cast
03-21-10 10:06 pm ET
else
02-27-10 05:50 pm ET
Well, that's it. The first practice of 2010 for Gresham Motorsports Park is in the books, and we've seen some impressive speeds here on the high banks.
Don't forget, we get the season rolling March 13 with the CRA Super Late Models, along with local classes and the US Legends International.
Go go http://greshammotorsportspark.ticketforce.com/ for more schedule information.
Thanks for joining us here today, and we'll see you at the races!
02-27-10 05:44 pm ET
We've got a few cars still getting ready to take advantage of the last moments of practice.
Don't forget, the GMP 2010 season opens on March 13. Tickets are available. Go to http://greshammotorsportspark.ticketforce.com/ for more information.
02-27-10 05:35 pm ET
The trucks are back out, with Paul Antley taking additional laps as we get late in the day.
02-27-10 05:30 pm ET
Pro Cup car are now back out as the first open practice begins to wind down.
02-27-10 05:22 pm ET
Late Models have wrapped up with about half an hour left. Outlaw Late Models have another chance next.
02-27-10 05:10 pm ET
Trucks are done. Late Models are hitting the track.
02-27-10 05:08 pm ET
Too bad you're not here. Nachos and hot dogs are only a buck as we enter the last hour of practice.
02-27-10 05:07 pm ET
Trucks are now on the track.
02-27-10 05:05 pm ET
Outlaw Late Models are back out. Tina Brown Stephens is on the track. She's been doing a great job today, getting progressively faster with each practice session. She just turned a lap at 17.969.
02-27-10 05:03 pm ET
Outlaw Late Models are back on the track. Tina Brown Stephens is back on the track. She's done a great job all day, and has been getting progressively faster through each session. She just turned a 17.979.
02-27-10 04:58 pm ET
Looks like the Pro Cup guys are done for now.
02-27-10 04:55 pm ET
Pro Cup cars are back out there.
02-27-10 04:53 pm ET
Don't forget, the Gresham Motorsports Park 2010 season opens up on March 13 with the CRA Super Late Models. You can see the full 2010 schedule at http://www.greshammotorsportspark.com/eventsA.php.
02-27-10 04:49 pm ET
Late Models are done. Pro Cup is up next.
02-27-10 04:37 pm ET
We've still got about an hour and a half left in practice, but some folks are already packing up. Outlaw Late Model ace David Murphy has already left with his #35 Georgia Racing History.com hot rod, and Jason Hogan's hauler is heading for the pit gate.
02-27-10 04:34 pm ET
Trucks are done. Late Models are back out.
02-27-10 04:31 pm ET
The Trucks are back out now.
For the first time today, Paul Antley has hit the track. Antley won the Truck event during last year's World Crown weekend here at GMP.
02-27-10 04:27 pm ET
Outlaws are done. Truck are up next.
02-27-10 04:24 pm ET
Pro Cup cars are done. The Outlaw Late models are back on track.
02-27-10 04:20 pm ET
By the way, you can follow what's going on at Gresham Motorports Park on Facebook, and on Twitter @GreshamMP.
02-27-10 04:10 pm ET
USAR Pro Cup cars are on the track again.
02-27-10 04:08 pm ET
Late Models are done. Pro Cup cars are next.
02-27-10 03:57 pm ET
Late Models are back on the track.
Jefferson's Joey Senter has been among the top five in speeds all day.
02-27-10 03:54 pm ET
Renegade are done. Late Models are up next.
02-27-10 03:50 pm ET
Renegades are back on the track.
02-27-10 03:47 pm ET
Trucks are done. Renegades are up next.
02-27-10 03:46 pm ET
Matt Vasser just turned a fast lap of 19.568 in his truck. That's the fastest time of this session for the trucks.
02-27-10 03:41 pm ET
The Trucks are on the track. We've been slowed by a spin in turn two. No contact, no harm, no foul. We're back under green.
02-27-10 03:40 pm ET
Hoyt's crew worked hard and had his car back in top form today.
02-27-10 03:38 pm ET
Hoyt Stephens just turned an 18.2.
Last time we saw Hoyt, this was the result. This fiery accident occurred during November's World Crown weekend.
02-27-10 03:34 pm ET
Our intrepid pit reporter just caught up with Jason Hogan. Hogan said the track was a little dirty to begin with, but it's clean now, and he expects to see lap times pick up as we get later in the day.
Hogan said his car has been good, then bad, then good again. He and his team are fighting a loose condition. Hogan said he expects their times to improve as the day goes on.
02-27-10 03:33 pm ET
Outlaw Late Model practice continues. Trucks are coming up again shortly.
02-27-10 03:29 pm ET
Mike Garvey, who turned the fastest lap today, says the track is great. He says the new GMP is a wonderful track. He says he loves it, it's nice and clean.
Garvey says he's driving a new car, and they are trying to get it where they want it.
He says he loved the way the track used to be, but comparing it now is like comparing apples to oranges. The track can now take whatever you throw at it.
02-27-10 03:23 pm ET
Late Models are done. Pro Cup are on the track now, with Outlaw Late Models coming up next.
02-27-10 03:20 pm ET
Late Models are done for now. Pro Cup cars are next.
02-27-10 03:16 pm ET
Mike Garvey just turned the fastest lap of the day with a 16.892.
02-27-10 03:11 pm ET
Cale Gale is starting to make some noise, he just turned a 17.3.
02-27-10 03:09 pm ET
Mike Garvey just turned a 17.08.
02-27-10 03:05 pm ET
Late Models are back on track, green is out.
Here's a look at Jason Hogan from the flagstand. Hogan has the second fastest time of the day with a 17.176
02-27-10 03:03 pm ET
No Renegades are going to run this session, so we'll be moving on to Late Models momentarily.
02-27-10 03:01 pm ET
Trucks are done. Renegades are up next.
02-27-10 02:58 pm ET
GMP flagman Wayne Nicholson is doing a great job out there today.
02-27-10 02:57 pm ET
Track cleanup is complete, and we're back under green.
02-27-10 02:55 pm ET
Yellow is out after one truck loses a drive shaft.
02-27-10 02:46 pm ET
Trucks are back on the track.
Here's a look at the truck of Ruben Tarca of Marietta, Georgia. Ruben's been a regular here at GMP in the trucks for years.
02-27-10 02:42 pm ET
Outlaw Late Model practice is done for the moment. Trucks are next.
Meanwhile, crew members look over the damage to Ryan Heavner's Pro Cup car.
02-27-10 02:39 pm ET
Todd Vanderford just turned in a lap at 17.96.
02-27-10 02:37 pm ET
Outlaw Late Models are on the track again.
Here's Jason Bates at speed.
02-27-10 02:33 pm ET
Pro Cup practice is now over. Outlaw Late Models are next.
02-27-10 02:32 pm ET
Morrow has a look at the damage back in the pits. His day is done.
02-27-10 02:31 pm ET
While we've got a second, here's another look at the damage to Lane Morrow's Dodge from the flagstand.
02-27-10 02:30 pm ET
Ryan Heavner just backed is Pro Cup car into the turn three fence. He was able to pull away, but he's got some damage.
02-27-10 02:25 pm ET
Late Models are done for now. Pro Cup cars are on the track.
02-27-10 02:14 pm ET
Mike Garvey and Jason Hogan are FAST. Garey turned in a lap at 17.172, Hogan turned in one at 17.176.
02-27-10 02:13 pm ET
We're under the yellow flag after the car of Lane Morrow backed his Dodge into the wall in turn three. He's okay, and drove back to his trailer.
02-27-10 02:06 pm ET
Mike Garvey just turned in a blistering lap with a 17.176.
02-27-10 02:03 pm ET
Late Models are on the track now.
Jefferson racer Joey Senter is putting his car through it's paces.
02-27-10 02:00 pm ET
Renegades are done. Late Models are next.
02-27-10 01:56 pm ET
Renegades are on the track. Here's a look at Paul Sexton from Mt. Airy, Georgia.
02-27-10 01:53 pm ET
Truck practice is over. Up next are the renegades, followed by the Late Models.
02-27-10 01:50 pm ET
Despite the windy conditions, several race fans have joined us here trackside. Remember, season track side parking passes are still available for $350 for the year. You can get those the track office by calling 706-367-9461.
02-27-10 01:46 pm ET
The trucks are on track for their first session of the day. Here's Cody Puckett at speed on the high banks.
02-27-10 01:42 pm ET
Terry Martin took a slide down the frontstretch. He picked it up and got back to it.
Outlaw Late Model practice is over. Trucks are up next.
02-27-10 01:30 pm ET
David Murphy, a GMP veteran, is showing fast time right now with an 18:31 in the #35 Georgia Racing History.com Outlaw Late Mode.
02-27-10 01:29 pm ET
Forget Danica - GMP has Tina Brown Stephens, second generation racer. Her father was legendary Georgia short track ace Debris Brown, a former winner himself here at GMP.
02-27-10 01:22 pm ET
Tyler Young has just finished shaking his Pro Cup racer down. He took a quick slide down the front stretch, but got way clean.
Outlaw Late Models are up next.
02-27-10 01:16 pm ET
The Pro Cup cars are now on the track for their first test of the day.
02-27-10 01:13 pm ET
Former Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series driver Cale Gale is here today as well.
The first Late Model session is done. The Pro Cup cars are up next.
02-27-10 01:11 pm ET
Early times are coming in in the low 18's or the high 17's for the Late Models.
02-27-10 01:10 pm ET
Short track legend Mike Garvey is back in the saddle today in the #1. He plans to run in several events at GMP this year. He said during the driver's meeting that he will soon be filing an entry form for the World Crown 300 in November.
02-27-10 01:06 pm ET
Green flag is out here at GMP for practice. Jason Hogan was one of the first Late Models to hit the track.
An early incident saw Curt Tillman spin off of turn four. He made no contact with the wall and got away clean, and we're back to green.
02-27-10 01:00 pm ET
Welcome to Gresham Motorsports Park for the first open test of 2010!
11-15-09 06:25 pm ET
And with that, we wrap up our live coverage of the 26th annual World Crown 300.
For any updates, check back at www.greshammotorsportspark.com
Thanks for joining us this weekend, and congratulations to World Crown champ Jeff Choquette.
See you at the races!
11-15-09 06:23 pm ET
The top three are still in tech, if there are any changes, we'll update you.
11-15-09 06:23 pm ET
Competition director Micky Cain, when asked how the event went, he said, "For an event of this caliber and having as many people involved, I think it went very well."
Cain is a former World Crown champ himself, winning back in 2000.
11-15-09 06:21 pm ET
Three time World Crown 300 Paul Kelley came home third today.
"To come from 18th to third is awesome. We didn't know if we had anything to run with these guys, but this place is so blistering fast."
"This race is a lot tougher (than previous World Crowns), it is very hard to pass out there. You had to squeeze them up or push them down to get by someone. Before, you could pressure a guy and burn up his tires, here, you don't burn up your tires."
"You go like hell the whole time and just hope you are there at the end."
11-15-09 06:19 pm ET
Max Gresham finished second, and looked to have a strong shot at winning the World Crown.
About the final laps: "We had an awesome run. On the last couple of laps after that restart I got lifted up coming off into the flag and that messed us up a little bit. After that it came back and the car was just a rocket ship and we were chasing Jeff down."
"I can't thank enough the guys that put this car together and the guys here at Gresham Motorsports Park that sponser us. I love these guys, they are great and I can't thank them enough."
"This is my third 300 and I love every minute of it. We played the pit stratgey, just like last year and almost came out on top. I guess next year we will come out on top."
When asked about things he had learned for next year's 300: He said coyily, "We will leave that a mystery."
11-15-09 06:18 pm ET
Jeff Choquette, winner of the 26th annual World Crown 300, spoke with our Intrepid Pit Reporter in victory lane:
It is beyond awesome to come here and last the whole way in a 300 lapper. This is big for us, we have struggled all year and people were doubting us a little bit. But, we came out here and showed what we were about.
He said the big difference was air. "As soon as the car got out front it handled a lot different then when we were fighting for position. I never understood what the NASCAR guys meant about air until today."
"The track is real nice, it is worked in real good. There are two grooves and you can get around. I am looking forward to coming back."
11-15-09 05:55 pm ET
Here's a look at your unofficial final rundown-
1. Jeff Choquette
2. Max Gresham
3. Paul Kelley
4. Colt James
5. Beau Slocumb
6. Taylor Satterfield
7. Tanner Berryhill
8. Michael Lance
9. Scott Sutherland
10. Stephen Nasse
11. Tyler Millwood
12. Dylan Presnell
13. Jason Hogan
14. Michael Phelps
15. Chase Elliott
16. David Hole
17. Chuck Barnes
18. Tim George, Jr.
19. Frederick Moore
20. Austin Hill
21. Cassius Clark
22. T.J. Reaid
23. Augie Grill
24. Brandon Johnson
25. Greg Simpson
26. Bubba Pollard
27. Shane Hall
28. Johnny Brazier
29. Jerick Johnson
30. Lee Langford
31. Jimmy Garmon
32. Ryan Sieg
33. Will Thomas
34. Russell Fleeman
35. Johnny Henderson
36. Dakota Stroup
37. Tommy Joe Martins
38. Chris Davidson
Again, all results are unofficial until confirmed by race officials.
11-15-09 05:05 pm ET
The victory lane celebration is underway. We'll have more shortly.
11-15-09 05:01 pm ET
Checkered flag flies-
Jeff Choquette wins the World Crown 300!
Max Gresham finishes second. Paul Kelley took third. Colt James is fourth and Beau Slocumb rounds out the top five.
11-15-09 04:57 pm ET
Paul Kelley moves to third as Choquette moves away.
11-15-09 04:55 pm ET
Gresham closes again on Choquette.
11-15-09 04:54 pm ET
Choquette holds him off, Slocumb and Kelley close.
11-15-09 04:54 pm ET
Gresham to the inside, looks for the lead over Choquette.
11-15-09 04:53 pm ET
Kelley is looking for a way around Slocumb, while Gresham closes on Choquette for the lead.
11-15-09 04:53 pm ET
Kelley is looking for a way around Slocumb, while Gresham closes on Choquette for the lead.
11-15-09 04:53 pm ET
Kelley is looking for a way around Slocumb, while Gresham closes on Choquette for the lead.
11-15-09 04:53 pm ET
Kelley is looking for a way around Slocumb, while Gresham closes on Choquette for the lead.
11-15-09 04:53 pm ET
Kelley is looking for a way around Slocumb, while Gresham closes on Choquette for the lead.
11-15-09 04:53 pm ET
Green flag, 25 laps to go - Choquette dives three wide, takes the lead from Gresham.
11-15-09 04:52 pm ET
Chase Elliott's crew said he felt a vibration, which is why he came in.
11-15-09 04:51 pm ET
Hill said a lap car tangled with him. Hill said he felt he could have had the win there at the end.
11-15-09 04:48 pm ET
Caution on lap 268 - Austin Hill spun on the frontstretch after running second. He's out of the car and okay.
11-15-09 04:43 pm ET
40 laps to go - Gresham leads, Hill second, Slocumb third, Choquette fourth and Kelley fifth.
11-15-09 04:41 pm ET
Grill said he broke a spur gear, ending his day.
11-15-09 04:41 pm ET
Green flag is out on lap 250 - Gresham leads, Hill to second, Choquette to third.
11-15-09 04:40 pm ET
Now Chase Elliott pits under caution from second place.
11-15-09 04:40 pm ET
Augie Grill is out of the car, and his quest for the World Crown is done.
11-15-09 04:40 pm ET
Augie Grill is out of the car, and his quest for the World Crown is done.
11-15-09 04:39 pm ET
Augie Grill is out of the car, and his quest for the World Crown is done.
11-15-09 04:39 pm ET
Augie Grill is out of the car, and his quest for the World Crown is done.
11-15-09 04:39 pm ET
Augie Grill is out of the car, and his quest for the World Crown is done.
11-15-09 04:38 pm ET
Caution on lap 246 - T.J. Reaid spins in turn four and makes contact with the wall. He pulls away.
11-15-09 04:37 pm ET
Green flag flies on lap 242 - Grill breaks on the restart. Gresham moves to first, Elliott to second. Grill is in the pits.
11-15-09 04:35 pm ET
Johnson said he thought Hole got into another car and got sideways and couldn't avoid him.
11-15-09 04:35 pm ET
Caution lap 238 - Multi car crash in turn two.
Among those involved are Brandon Johnson (93), David Hole, Tyler Millwood and Chuck Barnes, Jr.
Looks like Johnson is done for the day.
11-15-09 04:35 pm ET
Caution lap 238 - Multi car crash in turn two.
Among those involved are Brandon Johnson (93), David Hole, Tyler Millwood and Chuck Barnes, Jr.
Looks like Johnson is done for the day.
11-15-09 04:31 pm ET
Kelley is charging, trying to around Elliott for fourth. Elliott holds his ground.
11-15-09 04:29 pm ET
Green flag is out - Grill jumps out front, Gresham to second, Hill third and Elliott fourth.
11-15-09 04:26 pm ET
Red flag is lifted, yellow is out again.
11-15-09 04:24 pm ET
Here's a look at the incident in turn two between the GMP rescue truck and Greg Simpson's car.
11-15-09 04:22 pm ET
Our Intrepid Pit Reporter just reached Bubba Pollard. Pollard said he's okay. He said the track is "tight and fast".
Here's the view of Pollard's car from inside turn one.
11-15-09 04:13 pm ET
At the same time, the #10 of Greg Simpson made contact with one of the rescue vehicles in turn two. No injuries have been reported.
11-15-09 04:12 pm ET
Red flag is out - Contact between Colt James and Bubba Pollard collided while trying to avoid the slower car of Dakota Stroup.
Pollard's car made hard contact with the inside wall and flipped, sliding on it's roof down into turn one.
Pollard is out and walking around, much to the relief of this capacity crowd.
11-15-09 04:07 pm ET
Kelley is hounding Slocumb for fifth. Meanwhile, both close on Elliott in traffic.
11-15-09 04:07 pm ET
Kelley challenges Slocumb off of turn four, but can't make the pass.
11-15-09 04:06 pm ET
Kelley closes on Slocumb. Meanwhile, Pollard is on the move again. He now sits tenth with just over 80 laps left to go.
11-15-09 04:04 pm ET
Paul Kelley is charging again, he's passed Choquette and now runs sixth, chasing Slocumb.
11-15-09 04:03 pm ET
Elliott challenges Slocumb for fourth, takes the spot off turn four.
11-15-09 04:03 pm ET
Pole sitter Chase Elliott has begun to move back into contention. He now runs fifth.
We're into the last 100 laps - go or go home time.
11-15-09 04:01 pm ET
Green flag is out on lap 201 - Grill shoots out front, Gresham second and Hill third.
11-15-09 03:59 pm ET
With the stops, Max Gresham is in the lead with Grill second, Hill third and Beau Slocumb fourth.
11-15-09 03:57 pm ET
Several cars on pit road, including Choquette, Kelley, Presnell (09), Pollard and Satterfield.
11-15-09 03:53 pm ET
Competition caution is out on lap 200.
11-15-09 03:52 pm ET
The battle for sixth- Pollard (26), Gresham (7-11) and Grill (112).
11-15-09 03:49 pm ET
After that pit stop, Grill (112) has moved up to tenth. Meanwhile, Max Gresham now sits ninth on the field.
11-15-09 03:46 pm ET
Bubba Pollard is coming to the front - he just moved around Scott Sutherland for sixth.
11-15-09 03:45 pm ET
Green is out on lap 179 - Choquette leads, Kelley in second and Reaid in third.
11-15-09 03:44 pm ET
Remember, there's a competition yellow coming at lap 200. This strategy could pay off in a World Crown win.
11-15-09 03:43 pm ET
Your top five under caution-
Jeff Choquette
Paul Kelley
T.J. Reaid
Taylor Satterfield
Colt James
11-15-09 03:42 pm ET
Several drivers are gambling on tire strategy, including Austin Hill (24). Paul Kelley tried this two years ago, and won the Crown.
11-15-09 03:40 pm ET
Several leaders head for pit road, including Grill, Hill, Elliott, Clark, Phelps, and Slocumb.
11-15-09 03:39 pm ET
Yellow flag on lap 170 - Frederick Moore's car comes to a stop in turn two. He refires and pulls away.
11-15-09 03:37 pm ET
Hill looks high on Reaid and makes it work. The second groove at GMP is beginning to come in.
11-15-09 03:36 pm ET
Give Kelley second place. Reaid to third, Hill fourth and Satterfield fifth.
11-15-09 03:36 pm ET
Kelley now challenges Reaid for second.
11-15-09 03:35 pm ET
Green flag flies again on lap 156 - Choquette moves out to first witih Reaid second, Kelley takes third from Satterfield on the high side.
11-15-09 03:32 pm ET
The top under caution -
Jeff Choquette
T.J. Reaid
Taylor Satterfield
Paul Kelley
Austin Hill
Simpson, Jason Hogan and Tim George Jr. pit under the yellow.
11-15-09 03:30 pm ET
Caution on lap 150 - Greg Simpson loops on the front stretch. No harm, no foul. Great heads up driving by several drivers to avoid him.
11-15-09 03:29 pm ET
Clark slides back as Reaid and Satterfield move up to second and third. Kelley challenges Clark for fourth.
11-15-09 03:28 pm ET
Clark slides back as Reaid and Satterfield move up to second and third. Kelley challenges Clark for fourth.
11-15-09 03:27 pm ET
Bubba Pollard has worked his way up into the top 10.
11-15-09 03:26 pm ET
Kelley challenges Satterfield for fourth, but can't make the pass. Grill lurks behind.
11-15-09 03:24 pm ET
Great fight for third between Reaid, Satterfild and Kelley. Grill follows in sixth.
Satterfield is dogging Reaid in every turn.
11-15-09 03:23 pm ET
Lap 130 - Top Five
Jeff Choquette
Cassius Clark
T.J. Reaid
Taylor Satterfield
Paul Kelley
11-15-09 03:21 pm ET
Green flag on lap 121 - Choquette retakes the lead from Clark.
11-15-09 03:19 pm ET
Garmon said he got loose in the turn and the car got away from him. Our Intrepid Pit Reporter caught him at the concession stand, so he must be feeling okay.
11-15-09 03:19 pm ET
Garmon said he got loose in the turn and the car got away from him. Our Intrepid Pit Reporter caught him at the concession stand, so he must be feeling okay.
11-15-09 03:19 pm ET
Garmon said he got loose in the turn and the car got away from him. Our Intrepid Pit Reporter caught him at the concession stand, so he must be feeling okay.
11-15-09 03:16 pm ET
It may take a bit to clean this one up. There appears to be a lot of fluid down from Garmon's crash.
11-15-09 03:13 pm ET
Caution flies on lap 111 - Jimmy Garmon makes hard contact with the wall off of turn two. Garmon is out and walking around.
11-15-09 03:11 pm ET
Scoring correction, Cassius Clark leads, Choquette second, Taylor Satterfield to third, T.J. Reaid fourth.
11-15-09 03:09 pm ET
Green flag lap 102 - Choquette leads, Reaid to second Satterfield to third with Paul Kelley moving to fourth.
11-15-09 03:08 pm ET
Here's a look at the current top ten -
Jeff Choquette
Augie Grill
T.J. Reaid
Austin Hill
Taylor Satterfield
Chase Elliott
Colt James
Paul Kelley
11-15-09 03:08 pm ET
Here's a look at the current top ten -
Jeff Choquette
Augie Grill
T.J. Reaid
Austin Hill
Taylor Satterfield
Chase Elliott
Colt James
Paul Kelley
11-15-09 03:08 pm ET
Here's a look at the current top ten -
Jeff Choquette
Augie Grill
T.J. Reaid
Austin Hill
Taylor Satterfield
Chase Elliott
Colt James
Paul Kelley
11-15-09 03:04 pm ET
Ryan Sieg says his right front wheel broke, causing the accident.
11-15-09 02:59 pm ET
The field is on pit road for the competition caution at lap 100. Taylor Satterfield's crew is hard at work on his car.
11-15-09 02:54 pm ET
Yellow flag on lap 99 - Ryan Sieg makes hard contact with the turn two wall.
Sieg is out of the car and walking around.
Note the tire that ended up on the roof of the #39.
11-15-09 02:49 pm ET
Green flag on lap 90 - Choquette moves out to the lead.
11-15-09 02:46 pm ET
Caution on lap 87 - Will Thomas slows in turn one.
11-15-09 02:46 pm ET
Fleeman's crew says he is done - the right front spindle is broken. The defending World Crown champ is out.
11-15-09 02:45 pm ET
Green flag on lap 85 - Choquette taks first with Grill in second.
11-15-09 02:43 pm ET
Fleeman has made several pit stops under this caution to assess and check the damage on the US Auto Sales Chevy.
11-15-09 02:40 pm ET
Caution on lap 77 - Defending champ Russell Fleeman tangles with Jerick Johnson on the turn one end of the front stretch. Fleeman heads for pit road while Johnson remains on the track.
11-15-09 02:38 pm ET
Lap 75 - Top Five
Jeff Choquette
Augie Grill
Ryan Sieg
T.J. Reaid
Chase Elliott
11-15-09 02:36 pm ET
Grill looks under Sieg, goes side by side for a three laps before Grill takes the position.
11-15-09 02:35 pm ET
Green flag flies again on lap 65 - Grill and Choquette make contact, and sieg pushes Choquette into the lead.
11-15-09 02:34 pm ET
Max Gresham hits pit road for the first time today.
11-15-09 02:31 pm ET
Clean up is continuing.
We've seen a few cars beginning to flirt with the high groove. Grill's car seemed to stick there on the restart when he took the high side to challenge Choquette.
11-15-09 02:28 pm ET
Former World Crown winner Jimmy Garmon is on pit road as well.
11-15-09 02:27 pm ET
Dylan Presnell is in the pits for service under caution.
11-15-09 02:27 pm ET
Caution lap 54 - Tommy Joe Martins (44) spins in turn three. Johnny Henderson then spins in turn two.
11-15-09 02:24 pm ET
Green flag flies on lap 52 - Choquette is challenged by Grill on the outside -
11-15-09 02:22 pm ET
Caution lap 48 - Johnny Brazier spins on the frontstretch, making contact with the inside wall. He pulls away.
11-15-09 02:20 pm ET
Chuck Barnes makes contact with the fourth turn wall - Barnes carries on, no caution.
11-15-09 02:19 pm ET
Green is back out - Choquette moves out front, Grill in second while Ryan Sieg moves around Elliott for third.
11-15-09 02:18 pm ET
Caution lap 33 - Contact between Tyler Millwood and Chris Davidson in turn three. Millwood pulls away, but Davidson is done for the day.
11-15-09 02:11 pm ET
Leader Choquette just turned a lap at 17.518.
11-15-09 02:10 pm ET
Lap 25 - Top Five
Jeff Choquette
Augie Grill
Chase Elliott
Ryan Sieg
Austin Hill
11-15-09 02:09 pm ET
Fleeman almost has a problem as the car steps way out while racing Tyler Millwood off turn four. He catches it and carries on.
11-15-09 02:08 pm ET
The leader has caught lap traffic on lap 18.
11-15-09 02:06 pm ET
Ryan Sieg, Austin Hill, T.J. Reaid and Taylor Satterfield are in a tight fight for fouth. Satterfield slides past Reaid for position.
11-15-09 02:05 pm ET
Jeff Choquette moves out to an early lead. Augie Grill moves to second, Elliott slides back to third.
11-15-09 02:02 pm ET
Green flag, the World Crown 300 is underway!
11-15-09 02:01 pm ET
Who will join Dick Trickle as a World Crown winner? In 300 laps, we'll know!
11-15-09 01:58 pm ET
The cars are now rolling off of pit road.
11-15-09 01:55 pm ET
Engines are fired, and we're about to roll off for the World Crown 300!
11-15-09 01:47 pm ET
The drivers are getting strapped in, and we're just moments away from the green flag!
11-15-09 01:44 pm ET
The national anthem has been sung, and we're almost ready to go racing.
There are STILL cars pouring into GMP's parking lot. This is one of the best crowds we've seen here in World Crown history.
11-15-09 01:40 pm ET
The cars have changed quite a bit over the years too. Here's a look at DW's winning ride from '86.
11-15-09 01:39 pm ET
We are closing in on the green flag for the 26th annual World Crown 300.
Back in 1986, Darrell Waltrip won the first of two World Crowns.
Who will add their name today? In a few hours, we'll know.
11-15-09 01:35 pm ET
Pre race is continuing with driver introductions by legendary broadcaster Capt. Herb Emory.
11-15-09 01:17 pm ET
The pre-race show is on. The band Scarlet Stitch is entertaining the fans, the the drift cars from "Drift Emporium" is putting on a show around the track.
11-15-09 01:15 pm ET
Our Intrepid Pit Reporter sat in on the final driver's meeting moments ago.
During the meeting Mickey Cain went over some ground rulers for the drivers, some of the highlights included that there is only going to be one shot at the first green flag. What this means for poll-sitter, Chase Elliott and number two runner Jeff Choquette is that they have to start right or be sent to the rear.
Cain also went over that pit road speed of 30 mph, and two competition cautions at lap 100 and 200.
11-15-09 01:14 pm ET
And on the Monolith pole for the today's 26th annual World Crown 300 is Chase Elliott of Dawsonville, Georgia.
Elliott shattered the track record with a lap of 16.178, 111.262 mph.
Elliott will be piloting the #9 Aaron's Ford.
He is the 2009 GAS series champ, with four victories on the year.
11-15-09 01:11 pm ET
Starting second is Jeff Choquette of Mooresville, NC.
Choquette is driving the #33 Fountain Motorsports Chevy.
Choquette has six wins in 2009.
11-15-09 01:10 pm ET
Third place starter is Augie Grill of Hayden, AL.
Grill is driving the #112 Jan-King Chevy
Grill is a two time Snowball Derby winner.
11-15-09 01:09 pm ET
Rolling off fourth is Austin Hill of Winston, GA.
Hill is driving the #24 Hill & Hill Steel Erectors Ford.
In six starts this year, Hill has three top fives and five top 10s.
11-15-09 01:07 pm ET
Fifth place starter is T.J. Reaid of Acworth, GA.
Reaid will be driving the #41 Glencast, Inc. Ford.
Reaid has five wins and five poles in 2009.
11-15-09 01:05 pm ET
Sixth place starter is Ryan Sieg of Tucker, GA.
Sieg is driving the #39 S&W Services Toyota.
Sieg is a six year veteran.
11-15-09 01:04 pm ET
Starting seventh today is Jerrick Johnson of Faribut, MN
Johnson will be driving the #76 American Legion Chevy.
Johnson was the 2009 ASA Rookie of the Year.
11-15-09 01:03 pm ET
Rolling off eighth will be Taylor Satterfield of Jefferson, GA.
Satterfield will be driving the #40 Moore Services Chevy.
He finished second in last year's World Crown.
11-15-09 01:01 pm ET
Starting ninth is Jimmy Garmon of Hoschton, GA.
Garmon is piloting the #97 P.L Head Construction Chevy.
He is the 1998 World Crown winner.
11-15-09 01:00 pm ET
Rolling off in 10th is Chuck Barnes, Jr. of Louisville, KY.
Barnes, Jr. is piloting the #12 Chevy.
Barnes was the 2004 All-American 400 winner and the 2004 CRA ACRA Winner.
11-15-09 12:59 pm ET
And now, here's the top ten starters for the 26th annual World Crown 300!
11-15-09 12:58 pm ET
Rolling off 11th today will be Max Gresham of Milner, GA.
Gresham will be driving the #7-11 Gresham & Associates Chevy.
Gresham has recorded two wins and one pole in 2009.
11-15-09 12:55 pm ET
12th place starter today will be Beau Slocumb of Juliette, GA.
Slocumb will be driving the #08 Bolingbrook Mafia Ford.
Slocumb is making his first start since last year's World Crown after a battle with cancer.
11-15-09 12:50 pm ET
Starting 13th will be Will Thomas of Sharpsville, PA.
Thomas will be driving the #9 Chevy.
Thomas recorded eight wins in 2009.
11-15-09 12:48 pm ET
14th place starter today will be Fredrick Moore of Gainesille, GA.
Moore will be driving the #31jr Chevy sponsored by P.L. Head Construction.
Moore was the 2004 World Crown champion.
11-15-09 12:47 pm ET
Rolling off in the 15th position is Tanner Berryhill of Bixby, OK.
Berryhill will be piloting the #17 National Cash Lenders Ford.
Berryhill has six wins and eight top five finishes this year.
11-15-09 12:45 pm ET
Starting in 16th position will be Cassius Clark of Farmington, Maine.
Clark will be driving the #8 Fultz Racing Chevy.
Clark is the PASS National Champion.
11-15-09 12:44 pm ET
17th place starter will be Dylan Presnell of Sevierville, TN.
Presnell will be driving the #09 Zaxby's Ford.
Presnell has four wins, four poles, six top five finishes and four top ten finishes in 2009.
11-15-09 12:43 pm ET
Rolling off 18th is Paul Kelley of Pendergrass, GA.
Kelley will be driving the #23 Hedman Hedders Chevy.
Kelley is the only three time champion of the World Crown.
11-15-09 12:41 pm ET
19th place starter is Johnny Henderson of Conyers, GA.
Henderson is piloting the #26 Ford today.
Henderson is a veteran of 25 years.
11-15-09 12:39 pm ET
20th place starter will be Scott Sutherland of Jefferson, GA.
Sutherland will be driving the #22 Cantrell Forest Products Ford.
Sutherland is one of GMP's hometown drivers.
11-15-09 12:38 pm ET
Rolling off 21st is Michael Phelps of Suwanne, GA.
He'll be piloting the #5 David Gilliland Racing Ford.
Phelps calls Lanier National Speedway his home track.
11-15-09 12:35 pm ET
Starting 22nd is Stephen Nasse of Pinellas Park, FL.
He'll be driving the #51 All American Concrete Ford.
11-15-09 12:33 pm ET
23rd place starter is Colt James of Buda, TX.
He'll be driving the #15 FWScreen.com Ford.
James has two wins this season at Concord.
11-15-09 12:31 pm ET
Starting in the 24th position is Tyler Millwood of Kingston, GA.
He'll be driving the #31 Millwood Plumbing Chevy.
Millwood is 18 years of age, and has been racing for 11 years.
11-15-09 12:30 pm ET
Rolling off 25th is Greg Simpson of Gainesville, GA.
Simpson will be driving the #10 Simpson Trucking/Grading Ford.
Simpson was the 2009 Speedfest champion.
11-15-09 12:28 pm ET
26th place starter is Russell Fleeman of Dacula, GA.
Fleeman is driving the #98 US Auto Sales Chevy.
He is the defending World Crown champion.
11-15-09 12:27 pm ET
Starting 27th will be Lee Langford from Commerce, GA.
Langford will be driving the #28 Langford Trucking Chevy.
Langford has twice finished runner-up in the World Crown.
11-15-09 12:26 pm ET
Rolling off 28th on the field will be Jason Hogan of Cleveland, GA.
Hogan will be piloting the #92 Hogan Lumber Chevy.
Hogan is the 2009 ASA Southeast Champ. He also won the 2005 Rattler 250 and the 2005 All-American 400.
This is Hogan's first World Crown start.
11-15-09 12:24 pm ET
29th place starter today will be Shane Hall of Greenville, SC.
Hall will be piloting the #14 Elite Auto Chevy.
Hall is a former NASCAR Nationwide series driver.
11-15-09 12:21 pm ET
Starting 30th will be David Hole of Cumming, GA.
Hole will be driving the #0 Lang Signs Chevy.
Hole is a former World Classic and Snowflake Derby winner. This is his first start of 2009.
11-15-09 12:20 pm ET
Rolling off 31st will be Tommy Joe Martins of Como, Mississippi.
Martins will be driving the #44 Riessen Construction Chevy.
Martins calls the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway home. He was the King's Ransom 300 pole winner, and has 2 ASA Challenge top 5 finishes this year.
11-15-09 12:18 pm ET
32nd place starter is Bubba Pollard of Senoia, GA.
Pollard will be piloting the #26 Thrifty Nickle Chevy.
Pollard enters the World Crown weekend with 12 wins under his belt, as well as being the 2009 Miler Lite Champ and Viper Series Champ.
11-15-09 12:17 pm ET
Starting 33rd will be Chris Davidson of Pear Land, TX.
Davidson will be piloting the #96 Davidson Electric Co. Ford
Davidson is a former winner of the Alabama 200, and the 2003 and 2006 USRA Super Late Model champ.
11-15-09 12:14 pm ET
Rolling off 34th will be Johnny Brazier of Lickskillet, AL.
Brazier will be piloting the #71 Taylor Farms Ford.
Brazier is a two time Southern All Star champ and a three time World Classic winner.
11-15-09 12:13 pm ET
Starting 35th on the grid is Michael Lance of Dacula, GA.
Lance will be driving the #04 Lance Used Auto Parts Chevy.
Lance is a 15 year veteran with numerous wins in several divisions.
11-15-09 12:11 pm ET
Starting 36th is Brandon Johnson of Tampa, FL.
Johnson will be piloting the #93 Suncoast Motorsports Chevy.
Johnson has two wins, seven top fives, 13 top 10s and four poles in 2009.
He was the pole sitter for last year's World Crown.
11-15-09 12:07 pm ET
Rolling off in 37th is Dakota Stroup from Owensboro, KY.
Stroup will be piloting the #47 Time D.C. Chevy.
Stroup's home track is Kentucky Motor Speedway. This will be his first World Crown 300.
11-15-09 12:04 pm ET
Starting 38th is Tim George, Jr.
George, Jr. is the driver of the #67 Wearcrete Ford.
11-15-09 12:01 pm ET
Now, let's go ahead and begin our rundown of the starting grid for the 26th annual World Crown 300.
We'll start at the back of the grid and work our way forward.
First, let's take a look at those drivers that did not make the field-
Clay Alexander
Alex Garcia
Shane Sawyer
Ricky Sanders
Greg Pruitt
Will Prance
Terry Horak
Shawn Simpson
11-15-09 11:55 am ET
Unfortunately, this was how Richmond's race ended. But he would be back.
11-15-09 11:54 am ET
One of the great racers that came to GMP here over the years was the great Tim Richmond. Richmond was here for the 1986 World Crown.
11-15-09 11:53 am ET
The chapel service is continuing in the infield. After it wraps up, the driver's meeting will be held at 12:15 p.m. EST.
11-15-09 11:51 am ET
Max Gresham rolls off 11th today. Prior to this weekend, Gresham had only had about six hours of practice on the refurbished track.
11-15-09 11:48 am ET
Veteran NASCAR racer Neil "Soapy" Castles used to put baby powder on his race car prior to a race, claiming that it helped his car cut through the air.
Chase Elliott said this morning that he thought the wax he was applying would work better.
We'll see. Elliott starts on the pole today.
11-15-09 11:45 am ET
2008 World Crown winner Russell Fleeman already has his car on the grid. He hopes to park it about 50 yards behind him at the end of the day - in victory lane.
11-15-09 11:42 am ET
1998 World Crown winner Jimmy Garmon pushes his car into position for tech. He turned in a ninth place effort in Monolith Pole qualifying.
Garmon said the car was the best it had been all weekend when they rolled out for their timed laps.
11-15-09 11:38 am ET
Paul Kelley is getting ready to roll off in the 26th annual World Crown 300.
Kelley is a three time winner, making him the "King of the World Crown". No other driver has won more than twice.
As for his chances to wear a fourth crown today, Kelley said he will have to wait and see, but hopefully at lap 250, he will be right where he needs to be.
11-15-09 10:21 am ET
Dick Trickle won the first World Crown 300 back in 1983. Who will write their name in the GMP record books as the next World Crown champ? Stay tuned to find out!
11-15-09 10:20 am ET
Ryan Sieg was the first car to roll through tech this morning. The Tucker, Georgia driver rolls of sixth today in the World Crown.
11-15-09 10:09 am ET
Cars are rolling through tech right now. We're getting ready to bring you coverage of the 26th annual World Crown 300!
Stay tuned for updates from the track. The grandstands are open, and tickets are still available.
We'll be doing a full rundown a little later as we get ready for opening ceremonies at 1:00 p.m. EST and the drop of the green flag at 2 p.m.
The band "Scarlet Stitch" is warming up to entertain the crowd. Should be a great show!
Stay tuned for more track side updates!
11-15-09 10:01 am ET
Good morning from Gresham Motorsports Park!
11-14-09 11:03 pm ET
That's going to wrap up tonight's coverage of the World Crown weekend.
We'll be back live beginning at 10:00 a.m. to begin pre-race coverage of the World Crown 300, which will roll off from the grid at 2 p.m. EST.
Tickets are still available for the World Crown 300. Come out and join us for what promises to be one of the most anticipated short track events of all time!
Good night from Gresham Motorsports Park!
11-14-09 11:01 pm ET
While we won't have an official starting grid for the 26th annual World Crown 300, we'll give you an unofficial look at how they should line up, based on results from qualifying and the last chance race from earlier tonight.
Again, this is unofficial - the official starting grid will be available from race officials Sunday morning:
1. Chase Elliott
2. Jeff Choquett
3. Augie Grill
4. Austin Hill
5. T.J. Reaid
6. Ryan Sieg
7. Jerick Johnson
8. Taylor Satterfield
9. Jimmy Garmon
10. Chuck Barnes
11. Max Gresham
12. Beau Slocumb
13. Will Thomas
14. Fredrick Moore
15. Tanner Berryhill
16. Cassius Clark
17. Dylan Presnell
18. Paul Kelley
19. Johnny Henderson
20. Scott Sutherland
21. Michael Phelps
22. Stephen Nasse
23. Colt James
24. Tyler Millwood
25. Greg Simpson
26. Russell Fleeman
27. Lee Langford
28. Jason Hogan
29. Shane Hall
30. David Hole
31. Tommy Joe Martins
32. Bubba Pollard
33. Chris Davidson
34. Johnny Brazier
35 . Michael Lance
36. Brandon Johnson
37. Dakota Stroup
38. Tim George, Jr.
DNQ-
Clay Alexander
Alex Garcia
Shane Sawyer
Ricky Sanders
Greg Pruitt
Will Prance
Terry Horak
Shawn Simpson
11-14-09 10:46 pm ET
Checkered flag - Shawn Campbell wins, Jody Trevett finishes second, Chris Whitfield takes third.
11-14-09 10:44 pm ET
Five to go - Campbell has the race in hand.
11-14-09 10:44 pm ET
Trevett pushes his way around Whitfield for second with seven to go.
11-14-09 10:43 pm ET
Ten to go - battle for second, Trevett looks for a way around Whitfield.
11-14-09 10:42 pm ET
Campbell noses ahead, but Trevett gets under Campbell off of four. Trevett gets loose, almost loses it. Campbell pulls away, Chris Whitfield to second, Trevett back to third.
11-14-09 10:41 pm ET
Green flag flies with 15 to go - Campbell and Trevett fight for the lead.
11-14-09 10:38 pm ET
Childers has taken it behind the wall after a tough ending to his night.
11-14-09 10:37 pm ET
Caution lap 35 - Something happened to Mike Childers, sending his car up into the turn four wall.
11-14-09 10:33 pm ET
Scoring shows Childers is faster by almost half a mile an hour over Campbell as we head into the last 20 laps.
11-14-09 10:31 pm ET
At the halfway mark, Childers is beginning to close in on Campbell for the lead.
11-14-09 10:29 pm ET
Lap 18 - Childers is all over Campbell. Childers slides up the track in turn one, loses ground on the leader.
11-14-09 10:27 pm ET
Campbell takes the lead in turn one, with Mike Childers moving into fourth. Childers now closes in on Campbell.
11-14-09 10:27 pm ET
Green flag, lap 13 - Trevett and Campbell fight side for side for first.
11-14-09 10:24 pm ET
Lap 11 - Caution - The car of Brian Powell, Sr. suddenly lost power on the front stretch, coming to a stop in turn one.
11-14-09 10:23 pm ET
Campbell continues to lead 10 laps in, with Trevett in second and Cordell third.
11-14-09 10:20 pm ET
Cordell makes contact with the backstretch wall, Shawn Campbell shoots down the inside past Cordell and Trevett to take first place.
11-14-09 10:19 pm ET
Green flag on the Renegade feature - Jody Trevett and Anthony Cordell sail off into turn one on the first of 50 laps.
11-14-09 10:15 pm ET
The Renegades are rolling off the grid - Jody Trevett and Anthony Cordell are starting on the front row.
11-14-09 10:10 pm ET
Last race of the night is coming up - the Renegade feature.
11-14-09 10:04 pm ET
Checkered flag - Paul Antley takes the win, leading wire to wire. George Williams Jr. reeled him in, but couldn't get close enought. William Hoose finishes third, and Brittany Finley fourth.
11-14-09 10:01 pm ET
10 to go - Antley continues to lead. Williams Jr. is second. Hoose holds third over Finley.
11-14-09 09:57 pm ET
Lap 52 - Michael Cooper comes back out, missing most of the front sheet metal from his truck.
11-14-09 09:56 pm ET
Lap 50 - Bill Hoose works to hold off Brittany Finley for third.
11-14-09 09:55 pm ET
Antley moves out front down the back stretch.
11-14-09 09:54 pm ET
Green flag flies - Antley and George Williams Jr. fight it out in turn one.
11-14-09 09:53 pm ET
Caution lap 45 - One truck loses a wheel at the end of the backstretch. The driver was able to get down onto pit road, but the wheel made it's way into turn three.
11-14-09 09:51 pm ET
Lap 40 - Antley leads, followed by Bill Hoose, George Williams Jr., and Brittany Finley.
11-14-09 09:49 pm ET
Green flag is out on lap 38 - Antley takes the lead going into turn one.
11-14-09 09:47 pm ET
Caution lap 37 - Two trucks made contact, leaving debris on the track.
11-14-09 09:46 pm ET
Antley is back on track.
Green flag flies on lap 37, Antley moves back out fron.
11-14-09 09:45 pm ET
#87 Ruben Tarca has gone behind the wall and is done for the night.
Meanwhile, a fire has broken out under the truck of Clinton Sheriff. He pulled onto pit road and stopped by the safety truck. Looks like they got it put out.
11-14-09 09:42 pm ET
Cooper heads for the pits to work on the damage from that shunt.
11-14-09 09:40 pm ET
Caution on lap 36 - Second place Michael Cooper got together with the lap truck of Chris Wagner on the backstretch, sending Cooper spinning. Cooper suffered damage to the right front. So far, Cooper is staying on the track.
11-14-09 09:33 pm ET
After racing side by side for a full lap, Antley takes the lead.
11-14-09 09:33 pm ET
Green flies again - Antley and Cooper race side by side for the lead.
11-14-09 09:30 pm ET
Caution, lap 16 - Billy McGinnis makes hard contact with the turn one wall after getting together with the truck of Scooter Delanne. McGinnis has the truck moving.
11-14-09 09:25 pm ET
Green is back out - Antley jumps back into the lead, but Cooper challenges. Antley holds him off.
11-14-09 09:25 pm ET
Green is back out - Antley jumps back into the lead, but Cooper challenges. Antley holds him off.
11-14-09 09:22 pm ET
Track clean up continues in turns three and four.
11-14-09 09:20 pm ET
Lap 9 - Brian Hough spins in turn four. He continues on, but is trailing smoke.
11-14-09 09:16 pm ET
Green flag flies - Paul Antley leads into turn one.
11-14-09 09:12 pm ET
Up next is the 75 lap Truck event - Paul Antley and Michael Cooper start on the front row.
11-14-09 09:09 pm ET
Word has just come from race control that Dakota Stroup and Tim George Jr. will transfer in on the promoter's option to the World Crown 300 field.
11-14-09 09:07 pm ET
Now the decision will come from officials as to who will get the two provisional spots for tomorrow's race.
The final finishers for the last chance race were:
7. Dakota Stroup
8. Alex Garcia
9. Tim George Jr.
10. Terry Horak
11. Greg Pruitt
12. Will Prance
We'll have the official starting grid for you as soon as it is available.
11-14-09 09:05 pm ET
Checkered flag - Tommy Joe Martens wins the last chance race. Pollard finishes second. Chris Davidson finishes third. Johnny Brazier finishes fourth. Michael Lance finishes fifth. Brandon Johnson finishes sixth in the final transfer spot into tomorrow's World Crown 300.
11-14-09 09:01 pm ET
5 to go - Martens leads, Johnson slides back to sixth.
11-14-09 09:00 pm ET
Ten to go - Martens moves out to a healthy lead over Pollard. Davidson continues to hold sixth by a wide margin of seventh place Tim George Jr.
11-14-09 08:58 pm ET
Halfway - Pollard continues to hold off Martens. Martens makes contact with Pollard, takes the lead. Davidson is solidly in the transfer spot.
11-14-09 08:57 pm ET
Lap 10 - Martens continues to challenge Pollard. Chris Davidson is in the final transfer spot.
11-14-09 08:55 pm ET
Tommy Joe Martins challenges Pollard. Michael Lance is in the final transfer spot.
11-14-09 08:54 pm ET
Green flag - Pollard takes an early lead.
11-14-09 08:54 pm ET
Green flag - Pollard takes an early lead.
11-14-09 08:49 pm ET
Late Models are on the track. Pollard and Johnson make up the front row.
11-14-09 08:47 pm ET
Here are the drivers who will be fighting it out for the six transfer spots into the World Crown:
Bubba Pollard
Brandon Johnson
Clay Alexander
Alex Garcia
Tommy Joe Martins
Shane Sawyer
Johnny Brazier
Michael Lance
Tim George Jr.
Chris Davidson
Ricky Sanders
Greg Pruitt
Shawn Simpson
Dakota Stroup
Will Prance
Terry Horak
11-14-09 08:43 pm ET
Up next, the last chance race to get into tomorrow's World Crown 300. 30 laps with the top six transferring into the 300.
You might want to strap down your computer for this race.....
11-14-09 08:40 pm ET
Checkered flag - Todd Vanderford takes the win. Terry Martin takes second, and Mike Davidson rounds out the top three.
11-14-09 08:39 pm ET
Back to green - Vanderford and Davidson fight for first.
11-14-09 08:37 pm ET
Yellow is out, cars are rolling again.
11-14-09 08:36 pm ET
GMP's safety crew is continuing to clean up the scene of Stephens' accident.
11-14-09 08:29 pm ET
Hard crash in turn four - Hoyt Stephens makes hard contact with the wall, resulting in a fire. Stephens is okay.
Red flag is out.
The car appeared to step out on Stephens and it got away from him as he tried to catch it.
Again, Stephens is out of the car and okay. GMP's safety crew was on the scene quickly.
11-14-09 08:24 pm ET
Green flag flies with one lap to go - Vanderford moves back out front.
11-14-09 08:23 pm ET
Davidson and Buckner will be put back into position for the restart.
11-14-09 08:22 pm ET
Mike Davidson and Mark Buckner spin while fighting for second in turn two with one lap to go.
11-14-09 08:16 pm ET
15 to go, Vanderford continues to lead.
11-14-09 08:10 pm ET
Green flag is out - Vanderford jumps out front.
11-14-09 08:06 pm ET
The Iceman feature is rolling off now. Todd Vanderford is on the pole with Mark Buckner on the outside.
11-14-09 08:04 pm ET
Track cleanup is continuing. Iceman feature, followed by the last chance race.
11-14-09 07:57 pm ET
Here's a look at the unofficial results of Monolith Pole qualifying from earlier tonight for tomorrow's 26th annual World Crown 300:
1. Chase Elliott - 16.178
2. Jeff Choquett - 16.216
3. Augie Grill - 16.348
4. Austin Hill - 16. 367
5. T.J. Reaid - 16.389
6. Ryan Sieg - 16.399
7. Jerick Johnson - 16.420
8. Taylor Satterfield - 16.451
9. Jimmy Garmon - 16.456
10. Chuck Barnes - 16.459
11. Max Gresham - 16.472
12. Beau Slocumb - 16.475
13. Will Thomas - 16.481
14. Fredrick Moore - 16.509
15. Tanner Berryhill - 16.513
16. Cassius Clark - 16.547
17. Dylan Presnell - 16.564
18. Paul Kelley - 16.588
19. Johnny Henderson - 16.595
20. Scott Sutherland - 16.595
21. Michael Phelps - 16.605
22. Stephen Nasse - 16.609
23. Colt James - 16.615
24. Tyler Millwood - 16.631
25. Greg Simpson - 16.647
26. Russell Fleeman - 16.668
27. Lee Langford - 16.671
28. Jason Hogan - 16.675
29. Shane Hall - 16.678
30. David Hole - 16.700
The following drivers will have to race their way into the World Crown 300 in the last chance race.
31. Bubba Pollard
32. Brandon Johnson
33. Clay Alexander
34. Alex Garcia
35. Tommy Joe Martins
36. Shane Sawyer
37. Johnny Brazier
38. Michael Lance
39. Tim George Jr.
40. Chris Davidson
41. Ricky Sanders
42. Greg Pruitt
43. Shawn Simpson
44. Dakota Stroup
45. Will Prance
46. Terry Horak
So far, there's been no word as to any disallowed times from qualifying.
38 drivers will start tomorrow's World Crown 300.
The top 30 are locked into the World Crown on time, with pits to be chosen in the morning. The rest of the field will be filled out from tonight's last chance race. Six more will transfer in from the last chance and two will make it in on provisionals for a 38 lap field. How the last chance race will be run as a 30 lap event.
11-14-09 07:54 pm ET
Crash on the last lap on the front stretch - Allen Cantrell got out of the car on his own and walked away after a hard hit.
11-14-09 07:51 pm ET
Checkered flag, Thrasher holds on for the win.
11-14-09 07:48 pm ET
Line up reverts back to the previous lap.
Green flag, Hill charges for first, go three wide, Thrasher comes away with the lead, followed by Hicks and Hill.
11-14-09 07:44 pm ET
Hicks retakes the lead just as a car spins in turn four. Looks like fluid is down in turn four. Caution is out.
11-14-09 07:43 pm ET
Thrasher takes first, tries to hold off Hicks.
11-14-09 07:42 pm ET
Hill makes the pass for third.
11-14-09 07:42 pm ET
Good battle brewing between Trace Embry and Steve Hill for third.
11-14-09 07:38 pm ET
Halfway, Hicks continues to lead.
11-14-09 07:36 pm ET
Spanky Hicks retakes the lead on lap 20.
11-14-09 07:35 pm ET
Green flag flies again here at GMP.
Spanky Hicks moves back out into the lead.
Thrasher challenges on the outside, takes first with Steve Hill challenging.
11-14-09 07:35 pm ET
Green flag flies again here at GMP.
Spanky Hicks moves back out into the lead.
Thrasher challenges on the outside, takes first with Steve Hill challenging.
11-14-09 07:27 pm ET
Caution, lap 14 - Ken Candiotti has a problem in turn two, loses a wheel.
Leader Hicks hit the wheel, but appears to have no damage.
11-14-09 07:26 pm ET
14 laps in, Spanky Hicks leads, B.J. Thrasher second, Trace Embry third, Steve Hill fourth and James Nash fifth.
11-14-09 07:21 pm ET
Green flag is out on the 50 lap Mini-Stock feature!
Spanky Hicks takes the early lead.
11-14-09 07:15 pm ET
Mark Timmerman and Aaron Calvert are starting on the front row for this event.
11-14-09 07:14 pm ET
The National Anthem has been sung, and the engines are fired for tonight's Mini-Stock event here at GMP!
11-14-09 06:58 pm ET
Pre-race activities for tonight's action will be coming up momentarily.
11-14-09 06:54 pm ET
Qualifying is over, Chase Elliott is your pole winner with a lap of 16.178, 111.262 mph. We'll have a complete rundown shortly.
Your top five qualifiers -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Jeff Choquette
3. Augie Grill
4. Austin Hill
5. T.J. Reaid
11-14-09 06:44 pm ET
Your current top five -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Jeff Choquette
3. Augie Grill
4. Austin Hill
5. T.J. Reaid
11-14-09 06:43 pm ET
Your current top five -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Augie Grill
3. Austin Hill
4. T.J. Reaid
5. Ryan Sieg
11-14-09 06:43 pm ET
Your current top five -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Augie Grill
3. Austin Hill
4. T.J. Reaid
5. Ryan Sieg
11-14-09 06:43 pm ET
Your current top five -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Augie Grill
3. Austin Hill
4. T.J. Reaid
5. Ryan Sieg
11-14-09 06:35 pm ET
Your current top five -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Augie Grill
3. Austin Hill
4. Ryan Sieg
5. Jerrick Johnson
11-14-09 06:33 pm ET
New pole sitter, a new track record! Chase Elliott at 16.178! 111.262 mph.
Your top five -
1. Chase Elliott
2. Augie Grill
3. Austin Hill
4. Jerrick Johnson
5. Chuck Barnes
11-14-09 06:28 pm ET
Your top five -
1. Augie Grill
2. Austin Hill
3. Jerrick Johnson
4. Chuck Barnes
5. Will Thomas
11-14-09 06:27 pm ET
Your top five -
1. Augie Grill
2. Jerrick Johnson
3. Chuck Barnes
4. Will Thomas
5. Tyler Berryhill
11-14-09 06:25 pm ET
It's getting exciting...
Your top five -
1. Augie Grill
2. Jerrick Johnson
3. Chuck Barnes
4. Will Thomas
5. Dylan Presnell
11-14-09 06:24 pm ET
Your top five -
1. Augie Grill
2. Jerrick Johnson
3. Chuck Barnes
4. Dylan Presnell
5. Stephen Nasse
11-14-09 06:24 pm ET
Your top five
1. Augie Grill
2. Jerrick Johnson
3. Chuck Barnes
4. Dylan Presnell
5. Bubba Pollard
11-14-09 06:22 pm ET
Johnny Brazier spins on his second lap in turn four, but saved it and stayed off the wall. He turned a lap at 16.779 for ninth fastest, which should put him in the show.
11-14-09 06:19 pm ET
Your top five-
1. Augie Grill
2. Jerrick Johnson
3. Chuck Barnes
4. Bubba Pollard
5. Clay Alexander
11-14-09 06:17 pm ET
We're having some server issues due to the high traffic we're seeing on our website. We'll update you as there are changes in the top five.
11-14-09 06:15 pm ET
Your top five-
Augie Grill
Chuck Barnes
Bubba Pollard
Clay Alexander
Tommy Joe Martin
Michael Lance is currently on the track
11-14-09 06:14 pm ET
Augie Grill is currently on the pole with a time of 16.348
11-14-09 06:12 pm ET
Sorry, we've had a technical issue here. We'll get caught up in a moment.
11-14-09 06:08 pm ET
Next up is Clay Alexander.
Lap one - 16.722
Lap two - 16.803
11-14-09 06:07 pm ET
Qualifying is underway.
Tommy Joe Martin is on the track.
Lap one 16.910
Lap two 16.730
11-14-09 06:06 pm ET
Ronnie just shared one of my favorite stories from GMP. During the first World Crown, the legendary racer Butch Lindley had a big lead when something broke in the front of the car, sending him sailing over the turn one guardrail. Lindley was not injured, and climbed back up to the racing surface to wave to the crowd.
Butch Lindley passed away back in 1990 after being injured in 1985. He was a great racer, a great competitor and he's sorely missed by us here tonight.
11-14-09 06:00 pm ET
Just got a neat treat here in the media center. Georgia Racing Hall of Fame member Ronnie Sanders, aka "The Bomb" just came in. Ronnie won the 2005 World Crown 300. He hung his helmet up late last year, but was a multi-time winner here at GMP over the years.
Ronnie is pictured above leading Mickey Gibbs (1) and Darrell Waltrip (11) in the 1986 World Crown 300.
11-14-09 05:52 pm ET
As we close in on qualifying, here's another look at the history of World Crown qualifying as we close in on Monolith Pole qualifying tonight-
Back in 1986, Micky Gibbs sat on the pole for the World Crown with a speed of 102.563 mph, 17.549.
Darrell Waltrip came away with the victory, the first of two World Crown victories DW would record.
11-14-09 05:45 pm ET
The fans are getting a huge kick out of the drift cars, as are the track officials, who are up on the spotter's stand where they can get a good look.
11-14-09 05:35 pm ET
The fans just got an exhibition show from the guys at Drift Emporium, who brought they're drift cars on to put on a show prior to qualifying.
11-14-09 05:29 pm ET
While we wait on the beginning of qualifying, let's take a little look at the past-
The first pole winner for the World Crown 300 was legendary Florida racer Gary Balough. Balough took a lap around the half-mile Gresham Motorsports Park (then called Georgia International Speedway)at 102.127, 17.725.
Balough was a multiple winner at the track, but won his only World Crown in 1984.
11-14-09 05:23 pm ET
Our Intrepid Pit Reporter also caught up with Dylan Presnell, who is piloting the #09 Zaxby's Ford this weekend. Presnell was sixth fastest in practice with a time of 16.609.
This is Presnell's first time at GMP, and he said it is an awesome track.
"It's very fast and a very nice facility."
Presnell said the car will be good for qualifying. He said it was a little tight early on, but it's all worked out and it will be good for Monolith Pole qualifying.
11-14-09 05:19 pm ET
The tire scuffing is continuing, with qualifying to follow shortly.
11-14-09 05:12 pm ET
Our Intrepid Pit Reporter caught Bubba Pollard right after the driver's meeting. Pollard was 10th fastest in practice with a 16.671.
Pollard said his car is running good.
"It don't matter where you start, it's only going to matter where you finish at," he said.
11-14-09 05:09 pm ET
The drivers meeting has just wrapped up.
GMP general manager Dan Elliott told the drivers that they needed to play nice. He said this is a fast track and it is not forgiving.
The Late Models will have five laps to scuff in their tires, and officials warned them not to try to sneak in an extra lap.
Top 30 will make the World Crown on time, with pits to be chosen in the morning. The rest of the field will be filled out from tonight's last chance race. Six more will transfer in from the last chance and two will make it in on provisionals for a 38 lap field. How the last chance race will be run as a 30 lap event.
For all divisions there will be a free pass to the first lap down car after two green flag starts. They will not tolerate anybody jumping the start.
Officials said that there will be no tolerating of rough driving in the corners in any division. Violators will be parked.
The tire scuffing has begun. Cars are going out in packs of 15.
11-14-09 04:35 pm ET
Just a reminder, Monolith Pole qualifying for the World Crown 300 has been rescheduled to 6:00 p.m. EST.
11-14-09 04:30 pm ET
The driver's meeting is currently underway in the GMP infield tech center.
11-14-09 04:22 pm ET
Thirteen year old Chase Elliott is hoping to make his first start here at GMP in tomorrow's World Crown 300. He spoke with our Intrepid Pit Reporter as he made his way to the 4:30 p.m. driver's meeting.
Elliott was 15th fastest in practice, turning a lap at 16.773.
Elliott said the car is running pretty good. He said they were struggling on the long runs, but he feels that's taken care of and it's running good now. He said he hopes to do well in qualifying, and hopes to make the top ten.
He said that no matter where he qualifies, as long as they make the race, it's 300 laps long and he feels they'll do well.
He said it's a real fast track with lots of grip.
11-14-09 04:14 pm ET
Former World Crown winner Jimmy Garmon of nearby Hoschton, Georgia spoke with our Intrepid Pit Reporter moments ago. Garmon was 27th fastest in practice with a 16.882. Garmon wheeled his way to victory lane in the 300 back in 1998.
Garmon says the track is beautiful, the nicest track he's been to. He says it's extremely fast, and makes everybody runs right on the edge.
He also said his car is not bad. He said it's a Super Late Model that they changed the carburetor out on to be able to run in this event, so it's down on horsepower. Regardless, Garmon he's still looking forward to the 300.
11-14-09 03:49 pm ET
Our Intrepid Pit Reporter has been busy during the down time. He just finished talking to Beau Slocumb, who was seventh in practice with a time of 16.615.
This is Beau's first late model race since falling ill late last year. He hasn't been in a car since last year's World Crown as he put up a strong fight against cancer.
Beau says that, to be honest, he didn't like the track last year, but now he loves it. It has tons of grip, and is fast and great. He also complemented the GMP facility. He said it's a huge improvement over the previous facility, saying that now they have a place to work other than on grass and gravel.
He said his car wasn't really doing well until the last 20 minutes of practice. He said his crew really pulled it together, and it's running good.
He said he wouldn't be surprised if everybody picked up about two tenths in qualifying.
11-14-09 03:42 pm ET
Our Intrepid Pit Reporter just caught up with Max Gresham. Gresham was third fastest in practice today with a time of 16.548. He finished ninth in last year's World Crown.
Gresham said his car is real fast out there. He said for qualifying, if they can make the top five it will be good. He said that will be key for the 300.
He said that the track is real good, it's smooth with lots of grip. He says he's looking forward to Sunday.
11-14-09 03:31 pm ET
While we have a break in the action, we want to take a moment to remember a couple of the people who were very important to us here at GMP, and to GMP's history.
Pictured are the late Rob Joyce and Alan Kulwicki in GMP victory lane in April of 1985. Joyce was the long time promoter at GMP. Both gentlemen were good friends, dating back to Kulwicki’s early days up north. Joyce used to tell the story of working as Alan’s crew chief at a race at AIR a year later, where he basically just did what Alan told him. Kulwicki later came to GMP during his 1992 title run as a favor to Joyce.
Both men are very much missed by all of us today.
11-14-09 03:22 pm ET
We've got some down time here at the track as we work our way towards Monolith Pole qualifying. The driver's meeting is slated for 4:30 p.m. We hope to speak with some of the drivers afterward.
11-14-09 03:01 pm ET
Austin Hill talked to out Intrepid Reporter moments ago. Austin was fifth fastest in practice with a 16.605.
Hill said his car has been really fast all day. He and the crew worked late last night on the car, and he said it's "real fast out there".
He said the track is great. The new pavement makes it real fast and fun. He said his car is good on the long run and he can turn in the center. He said it's real good.
11-14-09 02:50 pm ET
The Trucks are back on the track now. Fastest at this point is Paul Antley who just turned a lap at 19.123, 94.127 mph.
11-14-09 02:48 pm ET
Our intrepid reporter just caught up with Taylor Satterfield. Satterfield was ninth fastest in final practice with a time of 16.640. He finished second last year behind Russell Fleeman in the World Crown.
Satterfield said right now, everything is going well. They've been working on some things, tweaking some things, but things are going extremely well.
They were able to come out and do some tire testing with Hoosier earlier, and he said that's helped. He said Compared to last year, the track hasn't changed,other than the grip,and they've adjusted for that and everything's going really good.
11-14-09 02:42 pm ET
Remember, Monolith Pole qualifying has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. EST this evening. We'll have any other updates on schedule changes (if any) as they come to us. Tickets are still available for tonight's events, with the local divisions rolling off at 7:00 p.m. EST, along with the last chance race to get into tomorrow's World Crown 300. There are also still tickets available for the World Crown tomorrow. Call 706-367-9461 for more info.
11-14-09 02:38 pm ET
Watching these cars take laps from up top in the GMP media center, the fourth turn is very, very reminiscent of the old layout at Atlanta International Raceway, before it was reshaped. Just the way the cars negotiate the corner with the new inside wall gives us flashbacks to the way the cars would look coming off the old fourth turn at AIR. Ah, memories.
11-14-09 02:34 pm ET
The Mini-Stocks are back out. Spanky Hicks has the fastest time right now with a 20.754, 86.764 mph.
11-14-09 02:26 pm ET
The Iceman division is done for now. Todd Vanderford had the fastest lap, a 17.427 at 103.288 mph.
11-14-09 02:19 pm ET
The Iceman division is back out for their next session.
11-14-09 02:14 pm ET
Renegades are done, Iceman up next.
11-14-09 02:14 pm ET
While the renegades are out there, here's a blast from GMP's past.
Here’s a famous sportsman car in the northeast Georgia. It’s Ray Puckett’s famed “Puckett Bucket”, seen here in a rare asphalt appearance at GMP in the mid ‘80s.
11-14-09 02:07 pm ET
Renegades are back out for their next session.
11-14-09 02:03 pm ET
Truck practice is over. Paul Antley was fastest with a time of 19.318.
11-14-09 02:01 pm ET
Track is clean, green flag is back out.
11-14-09 02:00 pm ET
Caution is out after one truck lost an engine.
11-14-09 01:54 pm ET
The green is out, and truck practice is underway.
11-14-09 01:50 pm ET
Truck practice is up next.
11-14-09 01:46 pm ET
Mini-stock practice is over. Michael Buckner of Conyers, Georgia turned the fastest lap with a 21.172.
11-14-09 01:42 pm ET
Mini Stock practice is now underway.
11-14-09 01:37 pm ET
Word just came down from Micky Cain at race control that Monolith Pole qualifying has been pushed back an hour to 6:00 p.m. EST.
11-14-09 01:34 pm ET
Iceman practice has just wrapped up. According to the scoreboard, David Murphy of Pendergrass, Georgia turned in the fast time with a 17.846.
11-14-09 01:32 pm ET
Currently Mike Davidson of Lula, Georgia is the fastest in Iceman practice with a lap of 17.880.
11-14-09 01:31 pm ET
Green is back out for the Iceman division.
11-14-09 01:28 pm ET
The second occurred on the front stretch.
11-14-09 01:27 pm ET
The Iceman practice is under caution for a pair of spins.
The first occurred in turn one.
11-14-09 01:23 pm ET
Up next on the track, the Iceman division.
11-14-09 01:16 pm ET
Renegades have wrapped up their first practice.
11-14-09 01:09 pm ET
The renegades are on the track for practice/qualifying.
11-14-09 12:59 pm ET
BREAKING NEWS FROM GRESHAM MOTORSPORTS PARK
Gresham Motorsports Park To Host
NASCAR Camping World Series East Event In 2010
Gresham Motorsports Park added some sizzle to its 2010 schedule today with the announcement that the totally renovated facility would play host to a NASCAR Camping World Series East event next season.
According to Gresham Motorsports Park General Manager, the Camping World Series East race will mark the return of NASCAR to the historic half-mile Georgia oval on Saturday, August 28, 2010.
“This is a great day for us,” said Elliott. “Gresham Motorsports Park opened as Jefco Speedway in 1967 and the first event was a NASCAR Sportsman (now Nationwide) race won by ‘Tiger’ Tom Pistone. Later, NASCAR greats Cale Yarborough and Bobby Isacc won what are now NASCAR Sprint Cup races here. To say we are elated to have a NASCAR event back on our schedule is an understatement.”
The previous incarnation of the NASCAR Camping World Series East division actually has competed at GMP. On July 24, 1968, Tiny Lund won a NASCAR Grand Touring Series at the then named Jefco Speedway. Lund would win another Grand Touring event – the Bulldog 400 - at Jefco on March 16, 1969.
In 2009, the NASCAR Camping World Series East contested 11 races including events at Watkins Glen International, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway and Iowa Speedway.
The GMP NASCAR event is just one of 12 high-profile oval track races the former Peach State Speedway will stage in 2010. Purchased by the Gresham family in January, the track was closed all season as the facility was leveled and replaced with a state-of-the-art facility. In addition to the complete makeover that included all new racing surfaces and lighting, a drive-thru Infield Tech Center, new grandstands, rest rooms and concession facilities were also constructed. The track is also one of the most technologically advanced in the country featuring 7-loop data/scoring capacity and wireless, remote control solar powered track safety lighting.
The announcement of the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Series East race was made at the 26th-Annual World Crown 300 this weekend – the inaugural event at the new Gresham Motorsports Park track.
11-14-09 12:55 pm ET
Our intrepid pit reporter has been busy during the break. He just caught up with defending World Crown champ Russell Fleeman.
Fleeman said that compared to the old track, GMP has the same configuration, but it has a lot more grip and a lot more speed.
"For Sunday if we can keep the wheels and fenders on it, we'll be just fine," he said.
Fleeman was 14th fastest in final practice with a time of 16.766.
11-14-09 12:50 pm ET
Driver's meeting is over, and practice/qualifying for the local divisions will begin at 1:00 p.m. EST.
11-14-09 12:45 pm ET
The driver's meeting is being held for the Iceman, Mini-Stocks, Renegades and Truck divisions. Drivers were informed that there will be European style qualifying during practice, with the fastest practice times determining the line-up.
Competition director Mickey Cain told the drivers "The new track here is some more fast compared to the way it used to be."
11-14-09 12:19 pm ET
Our intrepid pit reporter just caught up with three time World Crown winner Paul Kelley. Kelley said after struggling a little yesterday, he and his team have gotten the car dialed in, despite being a little tight. He said they are confident for tomorrow.
11-14-09 12:10 pm ET
Final practice for the World Crown 300 is over. Monolith Pole Qualifying will roll off at 5:00 p.m. EST.
The top five cumulative times from final practice were:
1. Jeff Choquette - 16:465
2. Chuck Barnes - 16.513
3. Max Gresham - 16.548
4. Paul Kelley - 16.566
5. Austin Hill - 16.605
Up next is practice for the Renegades, Iceman, Mini-Stock and Trucks begins at 1:00 p.m. EST.
11-14-09 11:57 am ET
Our intrepid pit reporter just caught up with Jeff Choquette, who says the car is about as good as they can make it. He says they've done a complete 360 on the car since they got here, and now they feel they have a pretty good car. He said they have been working on it, and despite not having as much practice as the local guys, they're feeling pretty confident about the race.
11-14-09 11:50 am ET
With minutes left in final practice, Jeff Choquette currently has fast time with a 16.466, one of the fastest times of the weekend and almost four tenths faster than the track record.
11-14-09 11:43 am ET
Caution for a spin in turn two. Stephen Sawyer spun, but is able to continue. We're back under green.
11-14-09 11:39 am ET
Green flag flies on the final 30 minutes of Late Model practice for the World Crown.
11-14-09 11:31 am ET
Red flag is out for the last break in final practice.
11-14-09 11:29 am ET
Augie Grill currently leads final practice with a lap of 16.513.
11-14-09 11:10 am ET
Green flag is out, the last hour of World Crown 300 practice is on!
11-14-09 11:06 am ET
Red flag is out so officials can clear the gates.
11-14-09 10:59 am ET
Paul Kelley, the "King of the World Crown", currently has the fastest time in this session, with a 16.566. Kelley is looking to win an unprecedented fourth World Crown on Sunday.
11-14-09 10:52 am ET
We're back to green at GMS.
Our intrepid pit reporter just spoke with Augie Grill, who said his car is handing great and that the track is "smooth."
11-14-09 10:34 am ET
Caution has been red flagged to allow officials to clear the gates.
According to the scoreboard, Augie Grill has turned in the fastest lap, a 16:632. He's followed by Taylor Satterfield, T.J. Reaid and Chuck Barnes Jr.
Interesting side note - Grill runs #112 in honor of one of his heroes, Gary Balough, who was the first ever World Crown pole sitter in 1983 and won the event back in 1984.
11-14-09 10:29 am ET
Here's a look at the entry list for tomorrow's World Crown 300:
0 David Hole Cumming, GA
01 Shawn Simpson Gainesville, GA
04 Michael Lance Dacula, GA
08 Beau Slocumb Juliette, GA
09 Dylan Presnell Sevierville, TN
5 Michael Phelps Suwanee, GA
8 Cassius Clark Farmington, Maine
9 Chase Elliott Dawsonville, GA
9T Will Thomas Sharpsville, PA
9W Will Prance Canton, GA
10 Greg Simpson Gainesville, GA
12 Chuck Barnes, Jr. Louisville, KY
14 Shane Hall Greenville, SC
15 Colt James Buda, TX
17 Tanner Berryhill Bixby, OK
19 Stephen Sawyer Lawrenceville, GA
19S Ricky Sanders Fayetteville, GA
22 Scott Sutherland Jefferson, GA
23 Paul Kelley Pendagrass, GA
24 Austin Hill Winston, GA
26 Johnny Henderson Conyers, GA
26 Bubba Pollard Senioa, GA
28 Lee Langford Commerce, GA
28 Terry Horak Myrtle Beach, SC
29 Allen Karnes Sharpsburg,GA
31 Tyler Millwood Kingston, GA
31R Fredrick Moore Gainesville, GA
33 Jeff Choquette Mooresville, NC
38 Shane Sawyer Braselton, GA
39 Ryan Sieg Tucker, GA
40 Taylor Satterfield Jefferson, GA
40B Brian Kiweimer Cumming, GA
41 T.J. Reid Acworth, GA
44 Tommy Joe Martins Como, Mississippi
47 Dakota Stroup Owensboro, KY
49 Greg Pruitt Jefferson, GA
51 Stephen Nasse Pinellas Park, FL
67 Tim George, Jr.
71 Johnny Brazier Lickskillet, AL
76 Jerrick Johnson Faribaut, MN
79 William Hooge Cumming, GA
84 Clay Alexander Franklin, TN
89 Alex Garcia Marietta, GA
92 Jason Hogan Cleveland, GA
93 Brandon Johnson Tampa, FL
96 Chris Davidson Pear Land, TX
97 Jimmy Garmon Hoschton, GA
98 Russell Fleeman Dacula, GA
7-11 Max Gresham Milner, GA
112 Augie Grill Hayden, GA
11-14-09 10:22 am ET
Right now the scoreboard is showing hometown hero Taylor Satterfield, who lives about a mile away from the track, as the current fastest car in practice, followed by T.J. Read, Chuck Barnes, Jr., Jeff Choquette and Greg Simpson.
Satterfield finished second to Russell Fleeman in last year's World Crown.
11-14-09 10:07 am ET
For the first time this weekend, drivers are having to deal with the removable inside wall on the front stretch being in place. Track workers put the barrier in place after last night's INEX action.
While it gives the illusion of making the track narrower, it doesn't take away any of the racing surface or apron from the drivers.
11-14-09 10:02 am ET
Final Late Model practice is underway at GMP!!!
Along with today's activities, there's an airshow going on across the road at the Jackson County Airport. We even got a flyover for the beginning of today's activities!
11-14-09 09:44 am ET
The morning driver's meeting has just broken up and final Late Model practice for the World Crown 300 is coming up at 10 a.m.
11-14-09 09:31 am ET
Good morning from Gresham Motorsports Park!
11-13-09 09:18 pm ET
That's going to wrap up opening day coverage of the World Crown weekend here at Gresham Motorsports Park.
Our live webcast coverage continues tomorrow beginning at 9:30 a.m. Remember, grandstands and trackside parking opens at 10 a.m. Late Model final practice rolls out beginning at 10 a.m. Monolith World Crown qualifying rolls off at 5 p.m. Local feature events for the night start at 7 p.m., including Mini-Stocks, Iceman, Renegades and Trucks, along with the last chance race to get into Sunday's World Crown 300.
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are still available. Call 706-367-9461 for more info. Goodnight from Gresham Motorsports Park! See you at 9:30 a.m. Saturday!
11-13-09 09:09 pm ET
Checkered flag - Casey Roderick takes his second win of the night. Bubba Harry takes second, and Brian Weimer finishes third.
11-13-09 09:07 pm ET
Green flag - Three laps to go - Roderick holds the point.
11-13-09 09:06 pm ET
Lap 22 - Caution - Contact between Harry and Weimer sends Weimer around.
11-13-09 09:05 pm ET
Five to go, Weimer makes the move around Harry to take second.
11-13-09 09:04 pm ET
Weimer nudges Harry, takes second. Harry makes a cross over move, and their side by side in two. Harry retakes the position.
11-13-09 09:03 pm ET
Tight racing for second between Bubba Harry and Brian Weimer on lap 13.
11-13-09 09:03 pm ET
Green flag - Roderick moves out front again.
11-13-09 09:01 pm ET
Caution lap 12 - Debris
11-13-09 08:58 pm ET
The Thunder Roadsters were originally slated to run the half mile, but were relegated to the quarter mile late in the day due.
11-13-09 08:57 pm ET
Green flag - Roderick moves out front again.
11-13-09 08:56 pm ET
Oops, Roderick jumped the gun.....they're going to line 'em up and try again.
11-13-09 08:56 pm ET
Green flag - Roderick leads into turn one.
11-13-09 08:55 pm ET
Up next, the last race of the evening, the Thunder Roadster feature. Casey Roderick is on the pole with Bubba Harry on the outside.
11-13-09 08:50 pm ET
Checkered flag - Randy Gunton (00) wins. Randy Thornton (14) takes second. Mike Abercrombie rounds out the top three.
11-13-09 08:46 pm ET
Ten laps in, it's the Randy and Randy show - Gunton leads Thornton.
11-13-09 08:43 pm ET
How about that - Randy leads!!! Randy Gunton, that is.
11-13-09 08:42 pm ET
Legends Masters up next - Randy Gunton and Randy Thornton. Odds are Randy wins the race to turn one.
11-13-09 08:39 pm ET
Checkered flag flies - Casey Roderick goes wire to wire for the victory.
Evan Swilling takes second with Jeff Haynie third.
11-13-09 08:31 pm ET
Legends Pros up next - Casey Roderick and Steven Ross on the front row.
Green flag - Roderick takes early lead.
11-13-09 08:26 pm ET
Checkered flag is out - Cody Haskins takes the victory, leading flag to flag.
Hunter Bledsoe takes second, with Mike Weed third.
11-13-09 08:22 pm ET
Side note - During Gresham Motorsports Park's Grand Opening last weekend, former driver Bruce Brantley, who raced in the first event here in 1967, said GMP's quarter mile track reminded him of the legendary Peach Bowl speedway in Atlanta.
11-13-09 08:20 pm ET
Green is out - Haskins takes the point.
11-13-09 08:18 pm ET
Caution lap 4 - Alexander Fox loses power and stops on the front stretch.
11-13-09 08:17 pm ET
Green flag - Plott moves out front again.
11-13-09 08:16 pm ET
Caution lap 1 - Tyler Edwards spins in turn three.
11-13-09 08:15 pm ET
Green flag - Cody Haskins jumps out to an early lead.
11-13-09 08:12 pm ET
The Legends Semi-Pro feature is up next. Cody Haskins and Tyler Edwards start on the front row for this event.
11-13-09 08:11 pm ET
Checkered Flag - Blake Jones (80) holds off a hard charging Justin Thomas (99)for the win in the Legends Young Lions feature. Mason Massey took third.
11-13-09 08:02 pm ET
Green flag - Jones moves back out front.
11-13-09 08:00 pm ET
Caution lap 3 for debris in turn two.
11-13-09 07:59 pm ET
Up next is the Legends Young Lions - Mason Massey and Blake Jones on the front row....Jones leads early.
11-13-09 07:56 pm ET
Checkered flag is out.
Anderson Bowen (pictured)takes the Young Guns win.
Garrett Smithley takes the Outlaw win.
11-13-09 07:51 pm ET
Pass for the lead - #29 takes over first place.
11-13-09 07:47 pm ET
Lap 4 - Garrett Smithley takes first place from Barnes.
11-13-09 07:45 pm ET
Green flag - three wide into turn one...Barnes leads lap one.
11-13-09 07:44 pm ET
Next up, the Bandolero Young Guns. Parker Barnes starts on the pole, with Taylor Jorgenson on the outside.
11-13-09 07:41 pm ET
Top five finishers in the Bandits-
1. Alex Coffey
2. Angus Hunt
3. Taylor Jorgensen
4. Howard
5. Alton Clark
11-13-09 07:37 pm ET
Checkered flag - Alex Coffey is the first ever winner at GMP, winning in the Bandolero Bandits.
11-13-09 07:37 pm ET
Back to green - Coffey takes control again.
11-13-09 07:35 pm ET
Caution on lap 22 - Number 14 spins in turn one.
11-13-09 07:29 pm ET
The track in clean, green flag is back out with Alex Coffey back out front.
11-13-09 07:23 pm ET
Red flag is out after a two car crash on the backstretch of the quartermile involving Will Davidson and Woodrow Mullis. Everybody walked away.
11-13-09 07:17 pm ET
Green flag is out again. Coffey moves out front.
11-13-09 07:13 pm ET
Green flag is out, and trouble in turn four. Kason Plott has a broken spindle, bringing out the caution.
11-13-09 07:12 pm ET
First up, the Bandolero Bandits.
Alex Coffey starts on the pole, with Kason Plott on the outside.
11-13-09 07:10 pm ET
Bandoleros are rolling, we're almost ready to race here at GMP!
11-13-09 07:10 pm ET
You never know who you're going to meet when you come out to the race track. While getting dinner at the concession stand moments ago, we found legendary racer "Tiger Tom" Pistone getting dinner - namely chicken fingers.
"Tiger Tom" was the first winner here at GMP, winning in the "Tiger 200" in 1967, a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman event.
11-13-09 06:29 pm ET
At the end of the day, Chase Elliott came away with the fastest speed in practice. Here's how the top ten speeds shaped up:
1. Chase Elliott - 16.546
2. Ryan Seig - 16.624
3. Tommy Joe Martins - 16.656
4. Taylor Satterfield - 16.710
5. Tim George Jr. - 16.716
6. Beau Slocumb - 16.734
7. Dylan Presnell - 16.748
8. Cassius Clark - 16.761
9. Augie Grill - 16.783
10. Austin Hill - 16.807
Monolith Pole Qualifying for the World Crown 300 will roll off at 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Tickets are still available for all three days, including tonight's events, beginning at 7 p.m.
11-13-09 06:23 pm ET
After cleaning up the track, the green came back out.
Around 2:30, Bill Hoose made contact with another car that was exiting the pits, and slide down the backstretch wall. Hoose was uninjured, but it was unclear if he would be able to fix the car or not.
11-13-09 06:18 pm ET
Thomas and his crew survey the damage.
11-13-09 06:17 pm ET
Thomas surveys the damage after the wreck.
11-13-09 06:15 pm ET
Thomas' car comes to rest.
11-13-09 06:15 pm ET
The #9 noses into the wall
11-13-09 06:13 pm ET
Here's how Thomas' accident played out, courtesy of our intrepid pit reporter.
11-13-09 06:12 pm ET
The second round of practice for the World Crown rolled off at 1:00 p.m.
Thirty minutes in, Will Thomas made hard contact with the outside wall on the backstretch.
11-13-09 06:09 pm ET
Austin Hill turned in the fastest time in morning practice, with a time of 16.807 seconds.
11-13-09 06:08 pm ET
The next incident occurred just before the noon lunch break, when David Hole looped his car coming out of turn four. Hole did make contact with the wall, but was able to continue.
11-13-09 06:06 pm ET
Practice got underway at 10:00 a.m. The first incident occurred just after 11:00 a.m. when Allen Karnes broke a wheel, sending him hard into the turn one wall.
Allen was not injured, but his weekend was over. His car was taken out of the track on a rollback.
11-13-09 06:04 pm ET
If you're just joining us, here's a look at some of the happenings here at GMP today in the first day of the World Crown weekend.
11-13-09 06:00 pm ET
The Legends are qualifying now as we close in on race time. Green flies at 7 p.m.
11-13-09 05:56 pm ET
Bandolero qualifying is underway.
11-13-09 05:42 pm ET
Clean up is continuing on the scene. That car was owned by track owner Jim Gresham. Fortunately, Jeremy is okay.
11-13-09 05:40 pm ET
Word is that Jeremy had a wheel break, causing the accident.
11-13-09 05:35 pm ET
Thunder Roadster practice has been red flagged after a crash in turn two. Jeremy Kalina hit the wall coming off the turn. Jeremy's okay, but it looks like his night is done.
11-13-09 05:24 pm ET
The Legends are on the track. Some of the drivers are still learning their way around GMP's quarter mile.
11-13-09 05:14 pm ET
Here's a look at the hardware all these folks will be racing for this weekend.
11-13-09 05:09 pm ET
Bandolero practice just wrapped up. Legends are up next.
11-13-09 05:02 pm ET
Here's a look at the cumulative top ten times in practice out of 39 cars that were on the track today:
1. Chase Elliott - 16.546
2. Ryan Seig - 16.624
3. Tommy Joe Martins - 16.656
4. Taylor Satterfield - 16.710
5. Tim George Jr. - 16.716
6. Beau Slocumb - 16.734
7. Dylan Presnell - 16.748
8. Cassius Clark - 16.761
9. Augie Grill - 16.783
10. Austin Hill - 16.807
Other drivers of note-
12. Bubba Pollard - 16.851
17. Max Gresham - 16.890
19. Paul Kelley - 16.892
20. T.J. Reaid - 16.912
30. Jason Hogan - 17.045
31. Fredrick Moore - 17.052
37. Russell Fleeman - 17.136
42. Ronnie Garmon - 17.250
Keep in mind that last year's pole speed was 100.823, 17.853.
The all time track record is 16.83.The top 12 cumulative times in practice today were faster than the track record.
Monolith Pole Qualifying for the World Crown 300 will roll off at 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Tickets are still available for all three days, including tonight's events, beginning at 7 p.m.
Back in 1986, Mickey Gibbs (pictured above) won the World Crown pole with a time of 17.549, 102.563 mph.
11-13-09 04:23 pm ET
Lots of excitement going on in the Bandolero practice session.
11-13-09 04:14 pm ET
Caution on the track for a spin by one of the Thunder Roadsters. No harm, no foul, but practice is over for that division.
Don't forget, tonight's racing program starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are only $10 for the Legends, Bandoleros and Thunder Roadsters.
11-13-09 04:05 pm ET
The first round of Legends practice is complete, the Thunder Roadsters are lining up now.
11-13-09 03:51 pm ET
The first pack of Legends are on the field under green flag practice.
11-13-09 03:40 pm ET
Banoleros practice has begun.
Legends, Bandoleros and Thunder Roadster practice will continue until 6 p.m on the GMP one-quarter mile track.
11-13-09 03:25 pm ET
Here's a look at the top ten cumulative times for the day in practice for the World Crown 300:
1. Chase Elliott - 16.546
2. Ryan Sieg - 16.624
3. Tommy Joe Martins 16.656
4. Taylor Satterfield 16.710
5. Tim George, Jr. - 16.716
Keep in mind that the overall track record is 16.83. Tomorrow should be a record breaking pole day!
11-13-09 03:02 pm ET
Red flag is out, practice is done for today for the Late Models. We've got about 30 minutes before Legends, Bandoleros and Thunder Roadster practice.
11-13-09 02:54 pm ET
Five minutes left in Late Model practice here at GMP.
11-13-09 02:51 pm ET
Shane Sawyer is in the pits. Our intrepid pit reporter says they're fighting a throttle issue on the #38.
11-13-09 02:47 pm ET
Track is clean, we're back to green at GMP.
11-13-09 02:45 pm ET
Yellow flag is out here at GMP again, appears to be for debris on the front stretch.
11-13-09 02:37 pm ET
Caution is out for Michael Lance, whose car came to rest in turn four. No damage, no harm no foul, back to green.
11-13-09 02:33 pm ET
The green flag is out, and the last 30 minutes of Late Model practice for today is on again.
11-13-09 02:32 pm ET
Our intrepid pit reporter says Bill Hoose's team is working hard to try to get his car back in, so his weekend might not be over yet.
Meanwhile, Allen Karnes' car has just been taken out of the track on a rollback. He's done for the weekend, unfortunately, after that accident from this morning.
11-13-09 02:30 pm ET
Red flag is out to allow officials to clear the gates. We see several Legends and Bandos showing up for tonight.
11-13-09 02:27 pm ET
Here's a great sight. On Wednesday, Shane Sawyer took a heck of a ride, flipping his #38 Toyota over on it's lid on the backstretch. Moments ago, his team rolled his back up car through tech.
11-13-09 02:26 pm ET
Bill Hoose says somebody got to close to him exiting the pits, sending his car into the wall. His #99 appears to be all used up, and he has no back up. Looks like his weekend is over.
11-13-09 02:10 pm ET
Track is clear, green flag is back out.
11-13-09 02:07 pm ET
Caution is out. Looks like Bill Hoose has made contact with the wall and came to rest in turn three.
11-13-09 02:03 pm ET
Cars are back on the track, the last hour of practice for the Late Models today is underway.
11-13-09 01:59 pm ET
One hour of late model practice left. Red flag is out while officials clear the gate.
11-13-09 01:42 pm ET
Thomas was not injured, and will be rolling out a back up car.
11-13-09 01:42 pm ET
Will Thomas says he blew out a valve stem causing his shunt.
11-13-09 01:40 pm ET
Track is clear and practice is back underway.
11-13-09 01:39 pm ET
While we have a break, here's a look at the top three speeds from this morning's practice session:
1. Austin Hill - 16.807, 107.098 mph
2. Chase Elliott - 16.822, 107.003 mph
3. Taylor Satterfield - 16.898, 106.521 mph
11-13-09 01:30 pm ET
It may take a bit to clean this one up. There appears to be a lot of fluid down from under Thomas' car. We just saw him go across the track into the garage area, so he's okay.
11-13-09 01:26 pm ET
Caution for a crash on the backstretch. It's Will Thomas, whose #9 has made hard contact just off of turn two. Thomas is out of the car and okay, but the #9 looks pretty used up. Red flag is out.
11-13-09 01:15 pm ET
Quick yellow again after Stephen Nasse spins on the frontstretch. No contact, no harm, no foul. We're back under green.
11-13-09 01:14 pm ET
Yellow flag on the track for a spin in turn two. Tanner Berryhill looped it around but didn't hit anything. Track is cleared and we're back under green.
11-13-09 01:13 pm ET
Fastest car in morning practice was Austin Hill's #24 Ford. The 15 year old from Winston, Georgia turned a lap at 107.098 miles an hour, 16.807 seconds.
11-13-09 01:03 pm ET
Second late model practice is underway here at GMP.
11-13-09 01:01 pm ET
The drift cars came out to put on a little show during the break. We'll see them several times this weekend.
11-13-09 12:54 pm ET
Second round practice will be underway momentarily.
11-13-09 12:14 pm ET
Practice will resume at 1 p.m. - Time for lunch!
11-13-09 12:13 pm ET
Hole was able to drive away, which kept the interruption to action on the track to a minimum.
11-13-09 12:13 pm ET
Here's a look at David Hole's incident that occured just prior to the end of practice.
11-13-09 12:01 pm ET
Morning practice is over at Gresham Motorsports Park.
The drivers and crews will take a lunch break before resuming practice at 1 p.m.
11-13-09 11:54 am ET
Track is clear, green is back out.
11-13-09 11:54 am ET
The Holeshot Motorsports entry was able to make it's way back to the garage area. Car had some damage to the left rear.
11-13-09 11:53 am ET
Caution is out - David Hole spun and backed his #0 into the wall coming off turn four.
11-13-09 11:49 am ET
Qualiying for the 26th annual will be held tomorrow beginning at 5:00 p.m. EST. We'll have live coverage for you of qualifying and all the weekend's activities.
The first World Crown pole sitter was the great Gary Balough out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Balough sat on the World Crown pole at a speed of 102.127 MPH, making his fast lap in 17.725 seconds.
11-13-09 11:38 am ET
Green is back out at GMP.
11-13-09 11:37 am ET
Caution flies again - debris in turn two.
11-13-09 11:35 am ET
Green is out, practice is back underway.
11-13-09 11:35 am ET
The accident may put Karnes out for the World Crown. The crew says they do not have a back up car.
11-13-09 11:34 am ET
Allen Karnes crew says it appears the #29 car suffered a broken wheel, causing the turn one accident.
11-13-09 11:30 am ET
Red flag is out to allow officials to clear the gates. Thirty minutes remain in the first round of practice.
11-13-09 11:18 am ET
Engines are refired, cars are back on the track and practice is back underway.
11-13-09 11:18 am ET
From here in the GMP media center, we can see that the right side of Karnes' car is pretty well used up. Looks like the team will likely have to roll out a back up if they plan to run the 300.
11-13-09 11:16 am ET
Driver has been ID'd as Allen Karnes, #29. Karnes is okay. Track clean up is continuing.
11-13-09 11:15 am ET
Our intrepid pit reporter is following up - again, the driver is out and fine.
11-13-09 11:12 am ET
Red flag is out while the crash scene is cleared. We'll have an ID on the driver as soon as we can.
11-13-09 11:11 am ET
A car hit the wall in turn one and rode the concrete to turn two. Tire marks go up the wall. Driver is out of the car and walking around, surveying the damage.
11-13-09 11:09 am ET
Caution on the track for a crash in turn two.
11-13-09 11:04 am ET
Cars are on the track, and practice is back underway here at GMP.
11-13-09 11:02 am ET
We've got a break in the action here while we clear the gates. Tickets are still available for all three days, call 706-367-9461 for more info.
11-13-09 10:51 am ET
No damage to the car, #99. He's rolling again, and we're back underway.
11-13-09 10:49 am ET
We're under caution for a spin in turn two.
11-13-09 10:45 am ET
The cones have been taken up, and we're back to practice in the low groove at GMP.
11-13-09 10:33 am ET
Here's a look at the rest of the schedule for today here at GMP:
12:00 pm - 1:00 p.m. - Trackside parking and Grandstands open
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Late Model Practice
2:30 p.m. - Legends pit opens
3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Bandoleros, Legends, Thunder Roadster pratice
6:15 p.m. - Driver's meeting for all INEX divisions
6:30 p.m. - Driving Exhibition
6:45 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
7:00 p.m. - Feature Events, Bandoleros, Legends and Thunder Roadsters
11-13-09 10:24 am ET
Practice is continuing here at GMP. Drivers are working the upper groove right now, trying to put more rubber down in the high line for the rest of the weekend.
11-13-09 10:07 am ET
Cars are on the track. The World Crown weekend is underway!
11-13-09 10:02 am ET
Here's a look from the driver's meeting just moments ago.
11-13-09 09:55 am ET
Good morning from Gresham Motorsports Park!
The driver's meeting has just wrapped up, and practice is coming up momentarily.
11-12-09 04:34 pm ET
Hello from Gresham Motorsports Park!
Live webcast of the World Crown 300 weekend begins Friday morning at 9 a.m. EST
Tickets for the weekend are still available. If you can't make it out to the track, bookmark this site to keep up with all the action live throughout the weekend.